Skip to main content
Wild About Lochaber

Wild About Lochaber

where great adventures begin...

Search form

Menu

  • Home
  • Explore
    • Wild Lochaber
    • Ardnamurchan, Moidart & Morvern
    • Fort William and Glen Nevis
    • Glencoe and Loch Leven
    • The Road To The Isles
    • #WildLochaber Photo Gallery
  • Accommodation
    • Self Catering
    • Caravan & Campsites
    • Hotels and B&Bs
  • Walking
    • Map of All Walks
    • Ardnamurchan and Moidart
    • Arisaig Mallaig and Glenfinnan
    • Fort William and Glen Nevis
    • Glencoe, Loch Leven & Argyll
  • Wildlife
    • Map of Wildlife Sites
    • Wildlife Experiences
    • Wildlife Habitats
  • Things To Do
    • Activity Providers
    • Beaches
    • Castles
    • Destinations
    • Gardens
    • Geology
    • Geopark Rock Route
    • Historic Attractions
    • Museums and Interpretation
    • Railways
    • Wildlife Experiences
    • Wildlife Hotspots
  • Travel
    • Electric Vehicle Charging Points
    • Ferries
    • Petrol Stations
    • The Caledonian Sleeper
  • What's On
    • Calendar
    • Arts, Culture and Community Events
    • Family Friendly Events
    • Walking Events
    • Wildlife & Geology Events
    • Events on Discover Glencoe
    • Road to The Isles & Ardnamurchan
  • Blogs
    • Ardnamurchan Area Blogs
    • Glencoe Area Blogs
    • Lochaber Blogs
    • West Coast Island Blogs
    • Wild About Lochaber Blog

Castle Tioram

  • Castle Tioram
  • Castle Tioram
  • Castle Tioram
  • Castle Tioram
  • Early 17th century main building (south courtyard range) with large window openings
  • Main building with stair turret and corbelled bartizans and castellation
  • Inside the main building with its large windows and apartments
  • Close up view of the 17th century main building
  • Rounded turrets of the tower house
  • External view of modfied old tower house with apartments and rounded turrets.

Details

Take time to visit Castle Tioram, the ancient fortress of the MacDonalds. Castle Tioram was built in the mid 13th century and extended in the 14th century as a testament to the independent rule of Rough Bounds by the Clanranalds, Lords of the Isles.

It is situated in a strategic location on a rocky tidal island of Eilean Tioram at the confluence of Loch Moidart and the River Shiel, occupying the whole summit of the rock in Moidart.

The Castle is surrounded by a pentagonal, round angled, curtain wall dating from 13th century with later modifications.  The curtain wall has a barrel vaulted entrance facing landward (northeast) with a small machicolation above (i.e. a floor opening to allow discharge of objects onto attackers of the castle). There was also a back entrance (a postern), that was later blocked in during the late 17th century.

The main building inside the curtain wall consists of an apartment block above a cellar, dating from the early 17th century, extending an earlier wooden feasting hall asnd small 14th century tower. The building has large window openings, a projecting gabled stair tower (stair turret) and large internal apartments.  On one side, the building supports an additional storey containing corbelled bartizans and castellation. 

The kitchen was sited in the south corner between the tower house and the main building.  The tower house with crenulated ramparts is situated adjacent to the eastern curtain wall.  It was possibly added in 14th century and included a cellar, first floor room and a second floor bedroom apartment.  Rounded turrets and an additional floor were added in the 17th century.  A garderobe was also built by the east wall with latrine chute exiting through the wall.

The Castle’s reputation as an impenetrable stronghold is borne of its design, construction and location. It has been taken only once and then by deception and cunning. It was set alight in the 18th century on the order of Allan, 14th chief to prevent it falling into the hands of the Government. It now stands as a sombre testament to the changing fortunes of the Clanranalds.

See History Walks in Moidart 4 ( A visit to Eilean Tioram and Castle Tioram) for a historical account of the castle, its features and clan history.

Location

Links to useful information

  • Castle Tioram Circular Walk
  • The Silver Walk
  • Clanranald Castle Tioram Trust
  • Moidart History Society
  • Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments
  • Historic Scotland- Castle Tioram
  • Ardnamurchan Day Trips - Castle Tioram, The Siver Walk and Dorlin

OS Map

>>view map in full window

Things To Do

  • Things To Do
  • Activity Providers
  • Beaches
  • Castles
  • Destinations
  • Gardens
  • Geology
  • Geopark Rock Route
  • Historic Attractions
  • Museums and Interpretation
  • Railways
  • Wildlife Experiences
  • Wildlife Hotspots

Glencoe

Discover Glencoe

Glencoe and Loch Leven

>>

Walking

Walking

Take a Walk on The Wild Side...

with over 100 wildlife focused walks across Lochaber, you'll be spoilt for choice

>>

Fort William

Fort William

Fort William, The Outdoor Capital

>>

Wildlife

wildlife

Wildlife

Home to Scotland's Big Five, red deer, golden eagle, otter, red squirrel, seals and so much more. A Wildlife Adventure Awaits.

>>

Ardnamurchan

West Highland Peninsulas

Ardnamurchan and The West Highland Peninsulas

>>

Activities

Activities

Activities

kayaking, wildlife watching, cruising, cycling, golfing, climbing, skiing, slow adventures and many more things to do

>>

Road to The Isles

The Road to The Isles

The Road to The Isles

>>

Day Trips

Day trips

Day Trps

Take off for the day to see the puffins on The Treshnish Isles, A Day trip to Mull, Skye, The Small Isles, The Most westerly point on the mainland and many more local ideas for a day out

>>

  • Advertising
  • Contact
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy

Photos and Content Copyright ©2011-2023 Wild About Lochaber - All Rights Reserved

  • Wild About Lochaber on YouTube
  • Wild About Lochaber on Pinterest
  • Wild About Lochaber on Instagram
  • Wild About Lochaber on FaceBook
  • Wild About Lochaber on Twitter
Share/Save